Operators are platforms; the problem is they do not know it yet

Operators still do not know it, or they act as if they do not, but their network assets will no longer be only active to provide services; they will be the basis to offer all kinds of services created and developed by third parties. This blog post argues this issue quite well, and it compares operators with the Apple Store. The problem is that to be like an Apple Store, operators are going to have to understand that part of their assets should be accessible from outside by developers, and that in the business of being a platform, you should deliver value, and sometimes part of this value is delivered free of charge to monetize indirectly. And billing indirectly is something that is not in the operators’ DNA.

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Single-Hub for Content: Why App Stores are a Model for Cable Providers

Like many consumers, I review my card statements monthly to make sure everything is on track. Last month, I couldn’t help but notice the sheer number of content services I’m subscribed to. From Spotify to HBO Now, from Netflix to Hulu to Showtime, you name it, I’m probably subscribed to it (on top of my cable package). That’s a lot of recurring payments to stay on top of every month, not to mention the fact that as a consumer of content, it’s a bit of a disjointed experience, shifting from one app to another or trying to remember which movie or TV show is available where … Keep reading the original blog post here